Bay Area Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyers

Uber and Lyft provide an innovative solution for transportation – rather than having to schedule a cab in advance or flag one down, an individual in need of a ride can simply open an app on their phone and within minutes connect with a driver willing to take them wherever they need to go.

Unfortunately, these rides aren’t always safe. In California, Uber and ridesharing accidents happen almost every day.

At GJEL we have helped victims who have been injured either in a ridesharing service or injured by a ridesharing service. We have recovered over $10 Million Dollars from these cases and have a strong understanding of how to maximize the value of your case.

Sometimes being picked up by an Uber feels like a “limo” type experience. However, some injuries can be prevented by wearing a seatbelt. Make sure to buckle up anytime you get in a car with anyone.

If you were in an Uber of Lyft Accident Seek Help Right Away

All of these accidents can cause serious injuries. If you were in an accident you should seek prompt medical attention and get checked out by a doctor. Even if you don’t have pain right away you may experience symptoms several days after the accident.

Common injuries after a car accident are:

Broken bones

Head or brain injuries

Lacerations

Concussions

Today, the state of California has passed a number of laws aimed at helping to ensure that when an Uber or Lyft accident occurs, drivers and the people they are carrying or hit (such as pedestrians, cyclists, or drivers/passenger of another vehicle) are protected.

If you are involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle in California, here’s a look into what you need to know about your recovery options, and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit for compensation.

Most Common Ridesharing Accidents

The most common types of cases that GJEL has handled with ridesharing accidents are accidents are situations where:

The Uber driver hit another car causing an accident

Another car hit your car causing the accident

Getting hit by a car operated by a ridesharing provider

If you were injured in any way due to the negligence of someone else you may be entitled to compensation for loss of work, injuries, pain and suffering, and long-term medical treatment.

California Liability for Ridesharing Services

Uber and Lyft are also different from traditional taxicab companies in that both Uber and Lyft require drivers to use their own personal vehicles, and insist that Uber and Lyft drivers are independent contractors, not employees.

As such, how much liability the companies hold for their drivers’ actions has been disputed in the past, and how damages from accidents caused by Uber/Lyft drivers should be paid for has been a hot and contentious topic.

The first thing that is important to understand following an accident involving a motor vehicle is that California follows a traditional fault, or tort liability system. This means that when an accident occurs, the at-fault party is responsible for paying for damages. It also means that in order to recover compensation, an injured party must prove that:

A duty of care was owed to them by the at-fault party;

The at-fault party breached the duty of care owed to them;

The breach of duty of care was the direct cause of the accident; and

The accident resulted in actual damages, such as medical expenses or suffering.

Because the state maintains a tort liability system which allows an injured party to file a claim or a lawsuit directly against the at-fault party, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance.

All of this information is applicable to accidents involving Uber and Lyft; insurance is required, and the at-fault party (or their insurance) is responsible for paying for damages sustained by the not-at-fault party.

There are also situations where the Uber driver is not liable. For example, if you were sitting at a stop light when another car rear-ended you. In this situation, the liability would fall upon the driver who hit the parked car.

Insurance Requirements for Rideshare Companies Like Uber & Lyft

The insurance requirements for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are different than they are for private drivers. While the minimum amounts of coverage for a non-rideshare driver are $15,000/$30,000 in bodily injury liability per person/per accident, and $5,000 for property damage, the insurance requirements for rideshare companies are:

These requirements are “period I” requirements. Period I is the period of time when an Uber or Lyft driver is logged onto the app, but has not yet picked up a passenger. During this time period, the state of California also requires that drivers maintain an additional $200,000 of excess liability coverage in the event of very severe accidents.

After an Uber or Lyft driver has accepted a ride request and is transporting passengers, coverage limits increase. To be exact, both Uber and Lyft provide their drivers with $1 million in liability insurance per incident, and $1 million in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident.

Your Options after a Crash Involving Uber or Lyft

Your options for recovering compensation after a crash involving Uber or Lyft vary significantly depending upon what you were doing at the time of the accident and whether or not you caused or contributed to the crash. Consider the following scenarios:

Pedestrian hit by an Uber/Lyft vehicle. If you were acting as a pedestrian at the time of your accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle and you were not at fault for the accident, then you can file a claim under the company’s liability coverage. You can also file a lawsuit if a settlement cannot be reached.

Another driver involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft. If you were acting as the driver of a separate vehicle at the time of your accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you should file a claim with the vehicle’s insurance policy if you were not at fault. If you were at fault, you may need to turn to your own insurance’s collision or medical payments coverage (if you carry these coverage types). If you and the Uber/Lyft driver are both found to be at fault, you may share liability for the accident, and be forced to split the costs of damages.

A passenger in an Uber/Lyft vehicle. In the event that you are a passenger in an Uber/Lyft vehicle at the time of accident involving the vehicle in which you were traveling and another car, you will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance. Again, you may file a lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached, and you need to bring your claim to court in order to recover compensation for your injuries.

Common Questions

Below are common questions we get in regards to Uber Accident law.

What if I’m a passenger in an Uber Accident?

If you’re a passenger and you were seriously injured in a ridesharing accident you may be entitled to compensation. You should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer right away.

I don’t feel any pain after my Uber Accident, should I see a doctor?

Sometimes injuries can take hours or days to be noticed. You should seek prompt medical attention from a professional after any type of accident.

I was struck by an Uber Driver, are they liable?

Whether the driver hit you while you were walking or whether you were in your car when the accident occurred, the ridesharing companies insurance policy may have to cover the damages.

Can you Sue Uber for an accident?

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in an Uber accident you will likely be able to sue either Uber or the insurance company who is insuring the driver. Talk to an experienced attorney and have them evaluate the facts of your case.

What are the Uber Insurance Policy Limits?

If you have been picked up by the driver and are in route to your destination then you are covered by a $1,000,000 Uber insurance policy.

You Need an Experienced Uber & Lyft Accident Lawyer on Your Side

Accidents with rideshare companies are complicated, and there are often many insurance companies, including the rideshare insurance, the rideshare driver’s insurance, the insurance of another driver, or/and your personal insurance involved in the claims process. Thankfully GJEL has succesffully gotten many strong recoveries for our clients who were involved in Uber and Lyft accidents.

To help you determine liability for your crash and file a claim against the appropriate party, negotiate for damages, or bring forth a lawsuit, you need an experienced attorney. At the law offices of GJEL Accident Attorneys, our talented California personal injury lawyers have the experience and knowledge your case deserves.

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Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Andy is a highly recognized wrongful death lawyer in California.

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